Quick Links

to ineptitude, but about 25 years ago I found several advantages to this grind, not least of which is that catches are less severe than when using a traditional straight edge. Some skew chisels are rounded on the short-corner side so that they slide more readily along the average slightly pitted tool rest. The corners of the chisel can be rounded using a belt or disc sander. I sharpen my chisels using either an elec- tric grinder or a belt sander. My grinder has two wheels-36 and 80 grit. Use siliconcarbide wheels when sharpening highspeed-steel lathe tools. A grinder will put a concave or hollow-ground bevel on the tool. My belt sander is equipped with a lOa-grit belt and will produce a convex bevel. Whichever method you use, don't grind a secondary bevel; it will make the tool difficult to control. Grind the tool on both sides and remove the burr with a benchstone. Practice on scrap or fresh cuttings A consu·uction site can provide plenty of acceptable lumber for practice exercises. Framing-lumber cutoffs may be had for the asking. Wood destined for the fireplace is also suitable. Choose straight-grained wood about as long as your tool rest. Adjust the tool rest to about center height and orient the stock so that the grain is parallel to the lathe's axis. Before turning on the lathe, spin the stock by hand to see that it clears the tool rest. Set the lathe speed from 1,500 rpm to 2,000 rpm. And don't forget to wear a face shield. Use a gouge, and turn the blanks into cylinders. (On small section squares cise using just the skew chisel.) YOll prefer an underhand grip: I hook the forefinger of my leh hand under the tool rest, which allows me to pull the chisel firmly to the rest so it cannot easily move either sideways or forward as the point of the skew enters the wood. Other turners prefer an overhand grip, where the fingers are wrapped over the chisel's shank, and the I Cut a row of evenly spaced grooves Turning grooves develops fine tool conu·ol. You need to pin the tool firmly to the rest with the long point down, then pivot the long point into the wood so that it enters the wood through an arc (see the photos on p. 86). You can use either an underhand grip or an overhand grip (see the photos at right). Underhand grip. The forward hand grips the shank from underneath, with the forefinger hooked under the tool rest. can complete the entire exerTwo ways to hold the tool There are two basic grips that may be used with the skew chisel. Try them both, and pick the one that gives you the most control. Whichever you choose, the tool addresses the stock in the same manner. THE SKEW CHISEL * Bevel on both Skew chisels come in a variety of widths, the most common being in. and % in. They are used primarily for turning beads and round Long 1 Slight radius "OOg 'dg, Short corner Edges on short-corner side of chisel are rounded over. Overhand grip. The forward hand wraps around the top of the shank, and the tool rest supports the heel of the hand. NOVEM BER/DECEMBER 2000 85